Wil Myers Delivers Key Hit As Rays Defeat Giants 2-1

The Tampa Bay Rays ended their 2-game losing streak by defeating the San Francisco Giants 2-1 on a walk-off single by Wil Myers. The victory improves the Rays record 65-45. They remain a game behind the Boston Red Sox who beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-2.

David Price worked the first 9 innings and for the 7th straight game since coming off the disabled list was masterful allowing just 1R/ER on 5 hits striking out 5 and walking 0. Since coming off the disabled list he has throw 57.1 innings and allowed 10R/ER for an ERA of 1.57. He has allowed only 38 hits and has struck out 40 batters while only walking 1.

The key play in the inning came as Jeff Francouer sent a comebacker to the mound which Rodney field cleanly and turned around and ran at Pence who was hung up between 2nd and 3rd for the second out. Joaquin Arias kept the inning alive with a soft infield single to 3rd base to bring Brandon Crawford to the plate.

Last night Crawford delivered a key 2-run homer off Chris Archer to put the Giants ahead 4-1 and had several opportunities to hurt the Rays several times tonight.

In the 6th inning he came to the plate with runners at 2nd and 3rd and 2-out but struck out, in the 8th inning he had a runner at 3rd and 1-out but popped out to James Loney at first. With 2-on and 2-out he had a chance again in the 1oth but Fernando Rodney struck him out to end the inning.

After Rodney did his job the Rays offense looked to do their part and give the Rays a victory in front of the 31,969 in attendance.

Jean Machi (2-1, 3.44 ERA) came in to work for the Giants and despite having walked just 5 in 34 innings he walked Desmond Jennings to start the inning. Jennings promptly stole second and since Zobrist was ahead in the count 2-0 the Giants issued the intentional walk to face Evan Longoria. Machi’s control problems continued and he walked Evan Longoria on 4 pitches to load the bases. After taking a huge cut at the first pitch Wil Myers delivered the game winning hit to give the Rays the 2-1 victory.

Joe Maddon made an observation after last nights game and reiterated the point prior to tonight’s game that he felt Evan Longoria was “close” to coming out of his slump. Early on in the game it appeared as if we were going to have to wait another day for Longoria to show signs of coming out of it as he looked bad in striking out in all three plate appearances against Tim Lincecum. But he fared better in his final two plate appearances drawing a walk in his lone plate appearance again Santiago Casilla and another in the bottom of the 1oth offJean Machi. After the game Joe Maddon said it often begins with a walk – “If you’re walking, you’re hitting.” Evan Longoria sent a tweet out and reassured the fans that he, in fact, does not try to strike out every time up!

Contrary to popular belief I don’t want to strike out every time, I promise! Good thing @wilmeyers is a beast! #walkoff#Rays